US Swimmer Lochte banned for 10 months: reports

In this still image from video Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ryan Lochte of the US gives an interview to Globo TV at their studios in New York City, August 20, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

USA Today newspaper reported the 12-time Olympic medalist has been suspended until mid-2017. Celebrity gossip website TMZ, citing unnamed sources, also reported the suspension.

Lochte has been charged by Brazilian police with making a false statement after he claimed he was robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Olympics.

Lochte said he was with fellow US swimmers James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger when their taxi was stopped by thieves posing as police.

Locthe claimed the athletes were returning to the Olympic Village after celebrating the end of the swimming competition at the Rio Games.

But police accused the swimmers of fabricating the story, claiming the swimmers were in fact confronted by security guards after they vandalized a gas station.

Lochte, a six-time Olympic champion, has lost a slew of sponsorships, including sportswear manufacturer Speedo.